Dispensing container



June 1 1 w. M. HOULDSWORTH DISPENSING CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 27, 1946 INVENTOR. Mm 7H7/m/A 4wm% M M ATTyLS FIG.5.

June 19, 1951 W. M. HOULDSWORTH' DISPENSING CONTAINER Filed July 27, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V EN T 0R. M11655 m/aw 0.5770? 771 Patented June 19, 1951 i DISPENSiNG CONTAINER .awal aceMeifiguld i' ihizltqxa Qa ;-.Mi h- 11 Application" M11127, 1946,3Seria1Nozj 686*;600

:a20'sGlaims. (01. 229-7) 1 'Ihisinventionrelatesto'-'improvements iri-dis- -pensingcontainers and to -improvementsdn dispensing containersmf the-type which includes an upright box-likeportionprovided' at its lower a 2 box,=- wh-ich hoppemisi adapted; tOQ-SlidflrWjthgthG box into the cover and to be withdrawmtwith the-box from -thefi cover. zzwhenathe boxaris;Withz drawnfrom :the cover: ithe lloppenis adapted to -'end Wi-th-' an outward-lyproj eeting= opentophop- 6- be-swung'to azdispensingiposition and:the matches a perlike extension and which containers might -eonveniently' be usedto dispensematches, toothpicks -or-the like.

- *More particularly-this invention relates -to imor other contents of the .boxi'will automatically i feed" into the-hopper when the containeniqznrop- -er1y supported for: feedingithesame.

An important feature'lresides inzthei'provision w proven-ients-in dispensingcontainers 0f the-char-H of means to assist ethe ieeding; of; theicontents actenabove specified wherein a flexible dispensing -stripis-'provided;--which strip has one end-secured ate the hopper and extehdstherefrom underneath EthE-OO IIteIItS of the container and the opposite -into thehopperanda-tozso cfeed dsheicontents sr ch as matches, thereinto that theelastview Remain- --ing matches will be fed; toward- ;the: front 10i. the

happen for easyo-laccessiforsremoval.

end-of the-strip isadapted to be actuated m dis-11 A -meritoriousieature iliesaing-ttheaprorvisiontof pense the-contents of the container.

Thisinventionmay-beembodied in-anassembly -.-which inc1udes an=-uprig-htcontainer portion have ing anoutward1y-projecting hopper like extension at its "lower end and -which upright container' --mdispensing strip ,,-which -strip aisi adapted .to lbe ;portion is --adapted toremo-vably receive theopen -tpp -box--portion-- of a matchboxor the "like to disehargedtscontents into the hopper extension of the container. *On the other hand,--theinven- -astnucture WhGI GiIISzthHvhOIELPBL which-As associated with the open top box, may form aniinteglial -=-partof :the boxi-onaoaiseparateithere liomz hopperwpreferablyz has @ssdciated :therew' h adjustablyuactuatednfronr timet-toatimers teed the contents of the box into the hopper. dispensingiistripiextends; from .the hopper over the bottomiandaendnwalls ofzzthenbox be eath character above described 'intowhichthe contents of the open "tODabOX-Of a m'atchbox assemblymay abe placed to be dispensedtherefrom. In a second -vembodiment' the= invention :may: be contained from the cover foropm ressivetwithdrawfl ;ifii #:time :to tjmeitqeprojectxthegcqntents ofnlih box in'to .itheahopper.

An important characteristic; is: that; means; is

atwithin a=-matchtbox assemblwwhich :isso formed =provideda.to treleasablyalockathe box at; a gieterandmonstructed as to: servethe purpose of the @container hereinabovemeterred to. -InReach-of #these embodiments of the invention :there is. proided-a flexible-dispensing strip which-extends wand-is secured to the -hopper=1ike extension at w one '--end' and hasan-opposite: and-upper end adapted to be actuated to advance-the contents into the hopper-"like portion of the container.

:1minedaiposition ofitpartials withdrawaL m nth cover, at which position the hoppentisgdisposed toureoeiveo and. 'iSuppOIt' dzheticontentseoftthe box for dispensing thereof. Anotherimporatantzeharwunderneath the contentsof thebox orcontainer a. aeteristic1iszthat the;disnensinestr piwh chi-ie '4itheboxzcontentatowardthezhopper:istfmttiQ oily -;-.-engaged:a.betweenrtheziendenfiithe hoxjn ii he coverzto. beiheld'at adjustedmositionsiaapm l .gzsivlelyx withdrawn.

31 Such a-container may betypified in the-con AAnOmBI'IObiGCtSiSxfrQjDfiDi/idfi a,- separab1e;strip ventionai 'matchebox ortoothpick box. In such a-containeryinmne embodiment of the invention 1ustrated; :there is. an.:.open endedcover. and an :opentop box slida'bly mounted within the cover and-hopper: structures-Which amaynbe; readilyws- -.-.soeiated.:.with any-iconventionalvonen findd=fi .mandz'slidaibletboxicontainer zofiithea character described and operated to facilitate;:dispensinaithe ivfon: reciprocatiomf through an K open 'end ofthe -.contents; of rthegcontainenias hereafter; moretfully mcove'r. The "cover and box are commonly of :rec- 2- -:-tangu1ar :cross :section.

An object of this invention=is to provide-snch a container.twithrmeans -whereby it: may serve Anotherizobj ect ;is to provide .1511611 acidispensieingicontaineniwhich simple;=;inegipensi-ve,eeasy nto manuiiactureaeasy; o operateiandiwhichiwill "the purposet ofe a dispensingwcontainer. This ia function atcalhtimes;iefiectively andivghichtmay vt-betrepeated-ly used althoughxthe:primaryieobject :tisc to provide axstructureaso :inexpensive rthati it a-mayibei-thrown away :followingaone nse iassiszthe wconventional -=matchibox whtrade.

{tdispensing hoppei associated with theopen top 5 t Theaimmediatelymrecedinaiparagratphs related primarily to the embodiment of the invention in a match box type of container including the outer open ended cover and an open top box portion slidably received endwise within the cover, but a meritorious embodiment of the invention is that wherein the open top match-carrying box portion of a match box assembly is receivable within the upright portion of a container which has a hopper extension at its lower end. In this construction the flexible dispensing strip is associated with the contents of the box and has an end portion adapted to be secured to the hopper extension of the container to facilitate dispensing the contents thereof.

In another embodiment the dispensing strip forms a part of the container and the contents of a conventional box are placed within the container upon this dispensing strip to facilitate discharge thereof.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my application 539,434, filed June 9, 1944, now

abandoned.

' ing drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective partly broken away of a dispensing container of the match box type embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective of a fragment of a slightly different embodiment of cover from that shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through a match box container embodying my invention wherein the box is partially withdrawn from the cover and the container is shown as suspended from a wall.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through a structure embodying my invention and taken on the same line as Figure 3, but illustrating a different embodiment of the invention from that of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a plan of a blank from which the open topped box of Figure 4 is formed.

Figure 6 is a plan of the dispensing strip associated with the box of Figure 4.

- shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 shows a modified form of container wherein the open top box portion of a match box assembly is removably received to discharge its contents into the hopper of the container.

Figure 11 shows a match box assembly made up of an open top box portion and an'open ended cover portion plus my improved dispensing strip arranged therein to dispense the contents thereof.

Figure 12 shows in elevation a modified form of dispensing strip.

While the invention is illustrated and particularly described as applied to a matchbox type of container, it is obvious that it is' adaptable for use in many dispensing containers of a similar character. The container shown in the first seven figures of the drawings consists of an outer cover which may be formed from a blank of cardboard or the like-and an open top box. This cover blank is folded upon itself to provide a cover which is open at both ends and which is rectangular in cross-sectional shape and includes a bot.-

1 fluted as at 52.

tom [0, top l2 and side walls H. A flap extension [6 of the top wall is folded over one side wall and glued thereto as shown in Figures 1 and 2 to complete the formation of the cover.

The top of the cover as shown in Figures 1 and 4 is provided with an inwardly bent portion which exhibits an interiorly open flute, groove or the like I8, for a purpose hereinafter set forth. In the modification shown in Figure 2, the top [2 of the cover is cut away to form a slot 20 which serves the same purpose as the groove l8 of Figures 1 and 4.

Mounted within the cover for slidable reciprocation through an open end thereof is the open top box. The box shown in Figure 4 is adapted to be formed from the blank shown in Figure 5. Suchblank includes a bottom wall 26, side walls 28 and end'walls 30. The side walls are provided with extension flaps 32 at opposite ends. These flaps 32 are adapted to be folded over the end walls 30 when the end walls and side Walls are folded along the score lines 34. These extension flaps 32 may be glued or otherwise secured to the end walls to form the open top box.

In the blank shown in Figure 5, one end 30 is wider than the width of the side walls of the box to snugly engage the top of the cover while the side walls travel freely through the cover. The other end wall 30 is provided with a hopper wall extension 36. This wall extension 36 has flaps 38 at opposite ends and is provided with a lip portion 40 as shown. The flap extensions 38 are adapted to be folded over the sidewalls 28 of the box when the hopper extension wall 36 is folded over the open top of the box at the hopper end to be received with the box within the cover. When the box is partially withdrawn from the cover the hopper extension is adapted to be swung outwardly as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The lip portion 40 has an arcuate edge to facilitate reaching into the hopper to withdraw the contents. The flap extensions 38 are provided with notches or shoulders 42 which are adapted to engage the top of the cover as shown in Figures 3 and 4 to maintain the hopper at the outswung position as illustrated.

The bottom 26 of the box is provided with an aperture 44 which is adapted to register with the aperture 22 of the cover when the box is withdrawn to a determined partially opened position so that a suspending tack 24 may be passed through these registering apertures to properly suspend the box. In the construction shown in Figures 4 and 5, the end wall 30 of the box has a tab. 45 punched therefrom which may be folded to overlie the head of the tack as shown in Figure 4 to protect the dispensing strip 48 from-engaging therewith.

Associated with the box formed from the blank of Figure 5 is a dispensing strip 48 shown in flat condition in Fig. 6. This strip is formed of suitable flexible material such as paper. This strip is secured at 50 at one end as by adhesion to the hopper wall 36 as shown in Figure 4. The opposite end of the strip may be corrugated or This strip extends over the end walls and the bottom wallof the box underneath the contents thereof.

of the box and received therewith within the cover as shown in Figure 1. It will serve to frictionally maintain the box against accidentalldisplacement within the cover and insulate the contents from contact with the cover. When it-is conventional type.

'desired to suspend the box for" dispensing its contents the free end 52 of the strip 48 is withdrawn from the box as shown in Figures .3 and 4. It is understood that when the box is suspended the free end of the strip will be progressively pulled out slidably from time to time to project the matches toward the hopper. The strip extends over the top edge of the one end wall 30 between contents while in Figure 4 the strip is shown in the position it would occupy to complete the ejection of the last few remaining matches.

.In Figures 3 and 7 I have shown a modification wherein the hopper and dispensing strip is an .integral structure separate from the open top box. In this modification the open tox box is indicated generally in- Figure 3 as 54. It is of a The hopper and extension strip are shown in Figure 7 in the form of the blank which is folded and then inserted into the open top box 54.

. The blank shown in Figure '7 comprises a strip portion 56 having a fluted end 58. The opposite end is shaped to form the hopper and comprises a hopper wall section 60 having end extension flaps 62 and a lip portion 64. Score lines 66 are provided to facilitate folding. This blank is folded and then inserted within the open top box as shown in Figure 3. The flap extensions 62 are provided with notches 68 which correspond to the notches 42 of the structure shown in Figure 5. The lip portion 64 is provided with an arcuate edge corresponding to the arcuate edge of the lip portion 40 of the structure shown in Figure 5. The dispensing strip and hopper is shown in Figure 3 as disposed as it would be at the beginning of the dispensing operation. As the contents were dispensed and the strip pulled out from time to time it would eventually reach the position shown in Figure 4 of the modification first described.

In each structure (Fig. 3 and Fig. 4), the open top box with attached dispensing hopper andthe open top box plus a loose dispensing hopper strip, are receivable within the cover. In each construction the box is capable of being withdrawn as a unit from the cover to a partly opened position at which the hopper may be swung outwardly to expose the contents. In each construction the dispensing strip is adapted to be withdrawn progressively from time to time to feed the matches into the hopper.

In Figure 4 the rounded top edge of one end wall 30 of the box is shown as seated within the groove I8 of the cover shown in Figure 1. This groove I8 is formed by depressing the top of the cover. This is to hold the box and cover at such partially open position as it would be in when the hopper is open. The modification of the cover I2 in Figure 2 shows a slot that would receive the top edge 3].

The foregoing paragraphs of the specification,

following the description of the figures, pertained to embodiment of the invention illustrated in the first seven figures of the drawing. In Figures 8 and 9 an embodiment is illustrated wherein there is a container which includes an upright portion generally indicated as I4 which has a back wall I6 and side Walls "I8 and a front wall 80, which front wall has vertical edges rolled over beads formed on the outer edges of the side walls so that the front wall may be slidably removed upwardly. The upright portion 14 of the container is provided at its lower end with a forwardly extending hopper-like extension shown in Figure 8. This hopper-like extension has a sloping front wall 82 and opposed side wall 84 and is open at the top. A pair of corresponding slots 86 are formed in the side walls adjacent to the front wall. These slots vary in width from top to bottom, as shown in Figure 8 of the drawing. A cross bar 88 extends transversely across the hopper portion with its ends disposed in said s'lots'as shown in Figure 8.

A flexible dispensing strip 96, which may be "formedof flexible paper or the like, has its lower end wrapped about the bar '88 as shown in Figure 8. As the bar travels toward the narrow-ends of the slots the strip 9i} is frictionally held between the bar and the front wall 82 of the hopper.

The side walls 18 of the container are provided adjacent the back wall thereof and adjacent to their upper ends with slots 92. These slots taper from one end to the other as shown in Figure 8. A bar 94 extends transversely across the back wall of the container and has its opposite ends seated in the slots 92. The upper end of the-dispensing strip 98 is adapted to be wrapped about such bar as shown. When the bar moves to the restricted ends of the slot this strip is frictionally held between the bar and the back wall of the container.

The container shown in Figures 8 and 9 is provided with a crank adapted to actuate the strip 90. This crank has a handle portion 96 and an intermediate crank portion 98. The crank member is j'ournaled in the side walls 18 of the container as shown. The intermediate crank portion proper is adapted to engage the flexible strip '90 and elevate the same and move it forwardly as illustrated in dotted outline in Figure 8. The side walls 18 may be embossed as at I08 providing detents which engage the crank to hold the crank releasably at adjusted positions.

Figure 10 shows a container of the same general character as hereinabove set forth except that the crank member is omitted and this container is adapted to receive the open top box portion of a conventional box of matches. This open top box portion is here indicated as 54. It comprises a bottom, sides and ends. It is shown in Figures 10 and 12. In Figure 11 it is shown as slidably mounted for endwise movement within an open ended cover.

A flexible dispensing strip I110, which may be formed of flexible but relatively strong paper, is provided. This strip extends over the bottom and -opposite ends of the box underneath the connection with the construction of Figure 8.

The opposite end of the strip, indicated as I04, is also adapted to be folded inwardly over the contents of the open top box. It is further adapt-. ed to be pulled upwardly between the top end of the box and front wall 80 of the container as ,thestrip iswithdrawn upwardly as shown in Figum 10 in dotted outline to be frictionally gripped between one end of the box and the front wall 'of the dispensing container.

In Figure 11 the two ends I02 and I04 of the strip are shown as folded down over the contents of the box. In Figure 10 they are shown as unfolded and as :would be disposed with the I structure in use.

In the functioning of the construction shown in Figure 8 the matches or other objects are transposed from the box into the container on top of the strip 90 with the strip shown in solid line in its initial position and in dotted line as it -might be lifted to dispense the last of the contents of the container.

In Figure 10 when the open top box 54 is in- .serted into the container to the position shown in .such figure the matches are adapted to discharge into the hopper. The lower end I02 of the flexible dispensing strip I is wrapped about the bar 88. -The upper end I04 of this strip is extended upwardly as shown and hereinabove described and it is apparent that as this upper end is drawn upwardly it will serve to project matches into the hopper-like forward extension of the container .to be disposed therefrom.

What I claim is:

1. A dispensing container comprising, in com- .bination, an open ended outer cover, an open top box slidably disposed within the cover for reciprocation through an open end thereof, a

. hopper flap swingably supported at one end of the box and adapted to fold over the top of the box to be received therewith within the cover and provided with side flaps adapted to overlie the side walls of the box within the cover, said cover .provided with an interiorly open recess adapted to engage that end of the box opposite to the hopper and to releasably maintain the box in a position partially withdrawn from the cover.

2. A dispensing container comprising, in combination, an open ended outer cover, an open top box slidably disposed within the cover for reciprocation through an open end thereof, a

hopper flap swingably supported at one end of the box and adapted to fold over the top of the .box to be received therewith within the cover and provided with side flaps adapted to overlie the side walls of the box within the cover, said ,cover provided with an inwardly bent portion exhibiting an interiorly open flute adapted to receive a part of the box to maintain the box in a position partially withdrawn from the cover.

adapted to be swung outwardly therefrom when the box is partially withdrawn from the cover to -serve as a dispensing hopper for the contents of the box, a, dispensing strip arranged within the box overlying the bottom wall thereof underneath the contents of the box and having an end portion adapted to project exteriorly of one end of the cover.

4. A dispensing container comprising, in combination, an open ended outer cover, an open top 'box slidably disposed within the cover for reciprocation through one open end of the cover, a hopper swingably supported at one end of the box and adapted to fold thereover to be received i therewith within the cover, said hopper adapted to be swung outwardly from the box when the -box ispartlally withdrawn from the cover to serve as a dispensing hopper for the contents of the box, a flexible dispensing strip secured at one end to the hopper and extending over the bottom of the box underneath the contents thereof and over the opposite end of the box between such end and the cover and frictionally gripped therebetween to maintain adjusted positions of withdrawal.

5. A dispensing container comprising, in combination, an open ended outer cover, an open top box slidably disposed within the cover for reciprocation through one open end of the cover, a hopper swingably supported at one end of the box and adapted to fold thereover to be received therewith within the cover, said hopper adapted to be swung outwardly from the box when thebox is partially withdrawn from the cover to serve as a dispensing hopper for the contents of the box, said bottom of the box and overlying wall of the cover provided with support receiving apertures adapted to register at a determined position of withdrawal of the box from the cover, and a dispensing strip secured to the hopper end of the box and extending over the bottom of the box and over the support receiving aperture therethrough and out of the opposite end of the cover over the opposite end of the box and frictionally gripped between such opposite end of the box and the cover.

6. A dispensing container comprising, in combination, an open ended outer cover, an open top box slidably disposed within the cover for reciprocation through one open end thereof, a hopper structure swingably supported at one end of the box having a bottom wall and side walls and adapted to fold over the open top and side walls of the box to be received therewith within the cover and to be swung outwardly when the box is partially withdrawn from the cover to hopper dispensing position, said hopper including a flexible dispensing strip secured at one end to the hopper and extending over the bottom of the box underneath the contents and out of an open end of the box to be progressively actuated to project the contents of the box toward the hopper.

'7. A dispensing container comprising, in combination, an open ended outer cover, an open top box slidably disposed within the cover for reciprocation through one end thereof, a hopper structure at one end of the box having a bottom wall and side walls and adapted to fold over the open top and side walls of the box to be received therewith within the cover and to be swung outwardly when the box is partially withdrawn from the cover to hopper dispensing position, a flexible dispensing strip secured at one end to the hopper and extending over the bottom of the box and 'having a fluted free end portion adapted to fold over the contents of the box when closed and to be extended between the cover and the edge of ,the end wall of the box opposite to the hopper end when the box is partially withdrawn from the cover, said cover provided with an inwardly bent portion defining an opening adapted to receive the edge of the end of the box with the flexible strip extended thereover.

8. A dispensing container comprising, in combination with an open ended cover and open top box slidably disposed therein for reciprocation through one open end of the cover, a separable dispensing hopper strip having a portion adapted to overlie the bottom and end walls of the box beneath the contents thereof and pro- .vided at one end of the box with a hinged hopper 9. A. dispensing container-comprising, in com- ;bination with an openended cover rand-open top .box slidably disposed therein forreciprocation throughone open end of the cover, a separable dispensing hopper strip adapted to: overlie the bottom and end walls of the box and provided at one end with a swingable dispensing hopper portion adapted to foldover the box and to be received with the box through one open end of the cover and adapted to-be swung outwardly .f-rom :the ,end of. thebox when the :box is;partially withdrawn from the cover.

10. A dispensingcontainer comprising, in combination with an openended cover and open toprboxslidably disposed ;.therein for reciproca- -tion through one open end ,of the cover, a separable dispensing hopperstrip having a portion of a length adapted to overlie the bottom and end walls-of thebox beneath. the contents thereof and provided at one end with a fiutedportion adapted to be foldedto overliethe contents of the box, said strip provided at the opposite end with an integral/hopper portion, said hopperportion consisting of aflap. hinged tothe end of the strip and adapted .to ,overlieitheitop of the box adjacent to one end and'having hinged side flaps adapted to overlie thelsi'de-walls of theeboxat such end.

11. A dispensing container comprising an upright box-like portion having an outwardly projecting hopper extension. at its lower end and provided with an adjustable flexible dispensing strip secured at one end to the hopper portion secured at one end-to the hopperextension and extendingover the lower end of the box and :over the bottom thereof underneath the conhaving an outwardly projecting hopper extensionat its lower end, an open top box removably receivable'endwise within-the upright porand extending over the lower end of the container and over the back wall thereof, and means associated with the container for frictionally engaging said strip and holding the same in adjusted position.

12. A dispensing container comprising an upright box-like portion having an outwardly and upwardly projecting open top hopper extension at its lower end and provided with a flexible dispensing strip secured at one end to the hopper above the bottom wall thereof and extending over the bottom wall of the hopper and the bottom end of the back wall of the upright boxlike portion of the container, said strip having an upper end portion adapted to be actuated to move the contents of the container into the hopper extension.

13. A dispensing container comprising an open top upright box-like portion having an outwardly projecting hopper extension at its lower end and provided with a flexible dispensing strip secured at one end of the hopper above the bottom wall thereof and extending over the bottom wall of the hopper and the bottom end and back wall of the upright box-like portion of the container and out of the open top of said upright portion to be lifted to advance the contents of the container into the hopper extension.

14. A dispensing container comprising an upright box-like portion open at its upper end and having an outwardly projecting hopper extension at its lower end, an open top box removably receivable within the upright portion of the container to discharge its contents into said hopper extension, and a flexible dispensing strip tion of the container to discharge its-contents into said hopper extension and a flexible-dispensing strip extending over the bottom of said box and over bothends thereof underneath the contents of the :box and having a portion at one end adaptedto befolded over the contents of the box or. to be secured to the hopper, means for securing saidend of the strip tothe hopper including a bar extending transverselyacross the hopper and to which said endof thestrip is secured, said strip having a portionatitsopposite end adapted to be. folded over thecontents of the box or to be extended upwardly beyond said end ofthe box and above the upright por- --tion of the container.

116. A dispensing container comprisingan ;upright box-like portion having an outwardly projecting hopper extension atits lower endsand provided with a flexible dispensing strip secured at one end to the hopper portion and extending over theilower end of: the container and :over

theback wall thereof, opposite sidewalls of the hopper provided :with complementary slotsdisposedradjacent to the .front wall of the hopper,

a bar extending transversely across the front wall of the hopper and having its opposite ends disposed within said slots, said slots varying in width from top to bottom whereby the bar is urged in one position against the front wall of the hopper, said strip being secured to the hopper through being wrapped about said bar and held thereby against the front wall of the hopper.

1'7. A dispensing container comprising, in combination, an upright box-like structure arranged with its longitudinal dimension extending vertically and having a front wall, back wall and a bottom end wall, said box-like structure having at the lower end of the front wall thereof an outwardly projecting open top hopper extension, a flexible strip secured at its lower end to the hopper above the bottom end wall of the structure and extending over the bottom Wall of the hopper and over the bottom end wall of the box-like structure and upwardly alongside of the back wall thereof, said strip having the upper end portion adapted to be actuated to move the contents of the container into the hopper extension, and means engageable with the upper end portion of the strip for releasably holding the same in adjusted position.

18. A dispensing container comprising, in combination, an upright box-like structure of rectangular formation arranged with its longitudinal dimension extending vertically and having a front wall, back wall and top and bottom end walls; said box-like structure having at the lower end of the front wall an outwardly projecting open top hopper extension; a flexible dispensing strip secured at its lower end to the hopper above the bottom wall thereof and extending over the bottom wall of the hopper and over the bottom end wall of the box-like structure and upwardly along the back wall thereof; said strip having the upper end portion extending forwardly toward the front wall of the box-like structure and thence upwardly between the top end wall and the front wall of the box-like structure to provide an upwardly projecting pull-tab; and means providing frictional engagement between the upper end portion of the strip and the boxlike structure to releasably hold the strip in adjusted position.

19. A dispensing container for matches, toothpicks and. the like comprising an upright container opened at its upper end and having an outwardly and upwardly projecting hopper extension at its lower end, an opened top box endwise removably received within the container and arranged therein with its end walls in vertically disposed relation to one another, a flexible dispensing strip associated with said box and extending over the bottom wall thereof and over the opposite end walls thereof underneath the contents of the box, said strip having opposite free end portions projecting beyond the end walls of the box and foldable over the contents thereof in the closed position of the box, means for securing one of said end portions of the strip to the upper side of the hopper extension and above the lower end wall of the box, the opposite end portion of said strip projecting upwardly from the upper end wall of the box and adapted to be pulled to move the contents of the box into said hopper extension, and means engageable with said last mentioned end portion of the strip for releasably holding the same in any position to which the strip is pulled.

20. A dispensing container comprising, in combination, an upright box-like structure arranged with its longitudinal dimension extending ver- 12 tically and having a front wall, a back wall, and a bottom end wall; said box-like structure having on the lower end of the front wall an outwardly projecting open top hopper extension; 8. flexible dispensing strip secured at one end to the hopper and extending over the bottom end wall of the box-like structure and upwardly in general parallel relation to the back wall of the structure; the opposite end of the dispensing strip projecting from the upper portion of the box-like structure to provide an upwardly projecting pull-tab whereby the strip may be actuated to move the contents of the container into the hopper extension.

WALLACE M. HOULDSWORTH. D

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 311,642 Butler Feb. 3, 1885 545,855 Ellett, Jr. Sept. 3, 1895 1,207,112 Wilkes Dec. 5, 1916 1,521,845 Tyer 1 Jan. 6, 1924 1,794,631 Luckett Mar. 3, 1931 1,864,440 Josinsky June 21, 1932 1,865,608 Andrews July 5, 1932 2,036,109 Trangas Mar. 31, 1936 2,235,473 Blinstrub Mar. 18, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 8,135 Great Britain Sept. 19, 1907 

